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Daring Dukes #4
Any Duke in a Storm
Historical romance takes to the high seas. Famed spy Lady Lisbeth Medford is on a ship bound for the West Indies, and the only thing more dangerous than her mission is the elusive Duke she's trying to capture.
Lady Lisbeth Medford, Countess of Waterstone and famed international spy, is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. She's determined to infiltrate a notorious smuggling ring in the West Indies while on a covert mission as a ship's captain. But even when her identity is compromised and she's forced to flee, the men chasing her are still hot on her heels.
The trouble in front of her, however, might be even worse. Raphael Saint, the Duc de Viel, is her ship's new aggravating and dangerously charming sailing master, who might very well be part of the smuggling ring Lisbeth must bring to justice. But when a new deadly threat on the high seas looms, the only way out of danger might be to face it...together.
Lady Lisbeth Medford, Countess of Waterstone and famed international spy, is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. She's determined to infiltrate a notorious smuggling ring in the West Indies while on a covert mission as a ship's captain. But even when her identity is compromised and she's forced to flee, the men chasing her are still hot on her heels.
The trouble in front of her, however, might be even worse. Raphael Saint, the Duc de Viel, is her ship's new aggravating and dangerously charming sailing master, who might very well be part of the smuggling ring Lisbeth must bring to justice. But when a new deadly threat on the high seas looms, the only way out of danger might be to face it...together.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 9, 2024
95 people are currently reading
2052 people want to read
About the author
Amalie Howard
46 books3,268 followersAMALIE HOWARD is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, most notably of The Beast of Beswick, “a smart, sexy, deliciously feminist romance,” and one of O-The Oprah Magazine’s Top 24 Best Historicals to Read. She is the co-author of the #1 bestsellers in regency romance and Scottish historical romance, My Rogue, My Ruin and What A Scot Wants, and has also penned several young adult novels, critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, School Library Journal, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Kid’s INDIE NEXT selection. Of Indo-Caribbean descent, she has written articles on multicultural fiction for The Portland Book Review and Ravishly magazine. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children. Visit her at amaliehoward.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
May 20, 2024
✨The call of the sea doesn’t necessarily speak to me but a giant tattooed pirate with *multiple* body piercings and a praising kink absolutely does. And so does a pirate queen who castrates a man on page.✨
I quite literally devoured this book in about 24 hours. I read several amazing pirate romances last year, and I’m so happy that this one didn’t break my streak of pirate BANGERS I was reading. The main characters were a bit morally grey, there were intense action sequences, and a tween with the mouth of a sailor added some humor.
The hero, Raphael, definitely fell first—maybe willingly walked the plank first is more apt?—and I loved that he just accepted it. Lisbeth aka Bonnie Bess was such a capable woman and incredible badass. Their chemistry in the bedroom was absolutely explosive. Literally it exploded everywhere.
Like the other books in this series—all bangers, I might add—this book also offers a diverse cast of characters. Raphael was Caribbean/French (roots in Trinidad and Tobago) and Lisbeth was demiromantic and pansexual. While we still need more more MORE diverse historical romances, this one is an excellent addition to the genre.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley and to the author for an ARC. All opinions are honest and my own.
I quite literally devoured this book in about 24 hours. I read several amazing pirate romances last year, and I’m so happy that this one didn’t break my streak of pirate BANGERS I was reading. The main characters were a bit morally grey, there were intense action sequences, and a tween with the mouth of a sailor added some humor.
The hero, Raphael, definitely fell first—maybe willingly walked the plank first is more apt?—and I loved that he just accepted it. Lisbeth aka Bonnie Bess was such a capable woman and incredible badass. Their chemistry in the bedroom was absolutely explosive. Literally it exploded everywhere.
Like the other books in this series—all bangers, I might add—this book also offers a diverse cast of characters. Raphael was Caribbean/French (roots in Trinidad and Tobago) and Lisbeth was demiromantic and pansexual. While we still need more more MORE diverse historical romances, this one is an excellent addition to the genre.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley and to the author for an ARC. All opinions are honest and my own.
January 9, 2024
Any Duke in a Storm by Amalie Howard
Daring Dukes series #4. Historical romance, own voices. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Famed spy, Lady Lisbeth Medford is in disguise as a notorious pirate captain, Bonnie Bess. Her mission is to capture the Prince of Smugglers. After quickly leaving Tobago in the British West Indies, she finds her quartermaster has hired a new sailing master. And he’s entirely too confident.
Raphael Saint, the Duc de Viel, has plenty of sailing experience but it’s usually as Captain of his own ships. Family treachery has Saint escaping prison and boarding the first ship leaving Tobago to try find proof of his uncle’s lies. Finding a female captain that can shoot and fight with precision and skill isn’t necessarily a surprise as her reputation has to have some truth behind it. It’s the passion and caring he sees behind the mask that has him intrigued and more than a little enamored.
Bess and Saint find a common goal and it’s drawing them together as neither expected.
Excerpts I had to highlight:
Captain, smuggler, spy or temptress?
“Unlike Bonnie Bess who was made of blades and thorns, Lisbeth seemed to be made of melody and moonlight.”
Duke, pirate or hero?
“Honestly, why don’t all the novels say that being a hero is exhausting? Being a villain is so much easier. No damsel, no demands, no precious virtue to be ruined, no waking up at ungodly hours, and being plied within incessant questions.”
Absorbing and intricate storytelling. This story will leave you breathless. Between the danger on the seas, the pirates, the family betrayals, the heroes trying to do better, and the undeniable passions, it’s a wild ride of adventure.
Be sure to read the Author Notes at the end of the book. The research and details are impressive and tell the background of many of the characters and how they apply in the story and in real life. I also love the intelligence within the writing. I highlighted a half a dozen words such as “jocund” that were new to me.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.
Daring Dukes series #4. Historical romance, own voices. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Famed spy, Lady Lisbeth Medford is in disguise as a notorious pirate captain, Bonnie Bess. Her mission is to capture the Prince of Smugglers. After quickly leaving Tobago in the British West Indies, she finds her quartermaster has hired a new sailing master. And he’s entirely too confident.
Raphael Saint, the Duc de Viel, has plenty of sailing experience but it’s usually as Captain of his own ships. Family treachery has Saint escaping prison and boarding the first ship leaving Tobago to try find proof of his uncle’s lies. Finding a female captain that can shoot and fight with precision and skill isn’t necessarily a surprise as her reputation has to have some truth behind it. It’s the passion and caring he sees behind the mask that has him intrigued and more than a little enamored.
Bess and Saint find a common goal and it’s drawing them together as neither expected.
Excerpts I had to highlight:
Captain, smuggler, spy or temptress?
“Unlike Bonnie Bess who was made of blades and thorns, Lisbeth seemed to be made of melody and moonlight.”
Duke, pirate or hero?
“Honestly, why don’t all the novels say that being a hero is exhausting? Being a villain is so much easier. No damsel, no demands, no precious virtue to be ruined, no waking up at ungodly hours, and being plied within incessant questions.”
Absorbing and intricate storytelling. This story will leave you breathless. Between the danger on the seas, the pirates, the family betrayals, the heroes trying to do better, and the undeniable passions, it’s a wild ride of adventure.
Be sure to read the Author Notes at the end of the book. The research and details are impressive and tell the background of many of the characters and how they apply in the story and in real life. I also love the intelligence within the writing. I highlighted a half a dozen words such as “jocund” that were new to me.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.
January 4, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, steamy, historical romance novel. It has diverse characters, including a strong and capable female protagonist, a kind and caring, heroic male protagonist, wit, a touch of humor, engaging banter, intrigue, secrets, sizzling chemistry, a heartwarming romance, and a happily ever after ending. The author's notes are interesting and informative, and are truly appreciated. This is the fourth entry in Ms. Howard's outstanding Daring Dukes series, and it can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Ms. Amalie Howard, and NetGalley, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this wonderful novel. This is my honest opinion.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Ms. Amalie Howard, and NetGalley, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this wonderful novel. This is my honest opinion.
February 26, 2024
DNF- nothing about this is working for me. From the endless info dumping to the lack of any kind of setting (they are in the Caribbean and they might as well be in limbo. There's a complete lack of sense of setting or description or detail) There are 21st century lectures about the evils of capitalism in between all the telling. Absolutely zero showing 🥴 No one is developed enough for me to care about them. Also there's a 12 year old child that sounds like a twenty something Tik Tokker and I just cannot.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review.
January 2, 2024
Lady Lisbeth Medford, international spy, is trying to infiltrate a notorious smuggling ring in the West Indies while on a covert mission as a ship's captain. Raphael Saint, Duc de Viel, escapes a trap and land on Lisbeth’s ship as the new sailing master. The two are suspicious of each other; but when a new threat on the high seas emerges, the only way out of danger might be to face it together.
This is the fourth book in the Daring Dukes series. The heroine, Lisbeth, is the former wife and spy partner of the hero from book three. Book three's couple plays a role in this story.
If you're looking for flirtatious adventure on the high seas, this is it. I thought it took a little bit to get going and I would have liked for the information about Lisbeth's mission and Raphael's plans for his uncle to be clearer, but this story hit its stride about a third of the way in and kept pulling me in. I liked that there was some role reversal here and Lisbeth held most of the cards as captain and spy, while Raphael started from a weaker position. This story had plenty of intrigue, swagger, and fun. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean, or the shows Black Sails and Our Flag Means Death.
Tropes: Spy/Govt Work, Disguised Character, Working Heroine, Ship Trip Romance, Forced Proximity
Steam: 3+ (three full scenes, but the first one felt like it could have been counted as two)
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
This is the fourth book in the Daring Dukes series. The heroine, Lisbeth, is the former wife and spy partner of the hero from book three. Book three's couple plays a role in this story.
If you're looking for flirtatious adventure on the high seas, this is it. I thought it took a little bit to get going and I would have liked for the information about Lisbeth's mission and Raphael's plans for his uncle to be clearer, but this story hit its stride about a third of the way in and kept pulling me in. I liked that there was some role reversal here and Lisbeth held most of the cards as captain and spy, while Raphael started from a weaker position. This story had plenty of intrigue, swagger, and fun. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean, or the shows Black Sails and Our Flag Means Death.
Tropes: Spy/Govt Work, Disguised Character, Working Heroine, Ship Trip Romance, Forced Proximity
Steam: 3+ (three full scenes, but the first one felt like it could have been counted as two)
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
May 30, 2024
This was so much fun! Both of them are morally grey, there’s some great action scenes, she is a pirate spy with an all woman crew on her ship, she’s pansexual, AND he has multiple tattoos and piercings, yes even on his peen?! Truly a great time from start to finish 😮💨
“Provoking her had become his favorite pastime.”
“I thought you preferred women?”
“I like people.”
^^^ My pansexual self felt very emo reading this in a historical romance 🥹
Spice notes:
- Finger licking good 🧑🍳
- He praises her *frequently*
“Provoking her had become his favorite pastime.”
“I thought you preferred women?”
“I like people.”
^^^ My pansexual self felt very emo reading this in a historical romance 🥹
Spice notes:
- Finger licking good 🧑🍳
- He praises her *frequently*
January 12, 2024
4.5 stars! This series just keeps getting better and better! Any Duke in a Storm is the newest installment to Amalie Howard’s Daring Dukes series and I devoured this one! High seas, nonstop adventure, badass spy heroine, pirates, smugglers, fast paced plot, demi/pansexual rep for heroine, he falls first, forced proximity, found family (amazing side characters), secrets, intrigue, and just all the fun times throughout the Caribbean.
I’ve really enjoyed the diversity in this series, with the characters and the setting. And all the books have just been so solid! Basically she’s a spy who has been deep in a mission posed as a pirate captain, all while trying to catch a leader of smugglers. The only thing I could say is that it was a little too long, but otherwise this is fast paced, high seas, all the adventure, and chemistry!
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own!
I’ve really enjoyed the diversity in this series, with the characters and the setting. And all the books have just been so solid! Basically she’s a spy who has been deep in a mission posed as a pirate captain, all while trying to catch a leader of smugglers. The only thing I could say is that it was a little too long, but otherwise this is fast paced, high seas, all the adventure, and chemistry!
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own!
January 28, 2024
Book #4 in the Daring Dukes series.
EXCELLENT! 👩🏼❤️👨🏻 A fun, quite entertaining and twisty PIRATE TALE with a forbidden pirate-spy romance that I absolutely loved. These enemies-to-lovers are completely besotted with one another, while also unaware they are both seeking justice in hunting down the same villain. 🏝️🏴☠️🗡️🧨 This is an open door romance. ❥ 5 stars — Pub. 1/9/24
EXCELLENT! 👩🏼❤️👨🏻 A fun, quite entertaining and twisty PIRATE TALE with a forbidden pirate-spy romance that I absolutely loved. These enemies-to-lovers are completely besotted with one another, while also unaware they are both seeking justice in hunting down the same villain. 🏝️🏴☠️🗡️🧨 This is an open door romance. ❥ 5 stars — Pub. 1/9/24
January 5, 2024
4.25/5. Releases 1/09/2023.
Vibes: romance on the high seas, badass heroines, ridiculously besotted heroes, and sword fight boners
Heat Index: 7/10.
Lady Lisbeth, countess, divorcee, and spy, is on the run. She’s taken on the persona of Bonnie Bess, feared by all–except her new sailing master, the infuriating Raphael Saint. Problem one: Raphael may be a part of the smuggling ring Lisbeth is attempting to infiltrate. Problem two: she is, sadly, both extremely annoyed by and extremely attracted to him. Problem three: she may just have to rely on him if they’re going to get away from the people pursuing her in one piece.
I was, to be honest, a little worried about how Amalie would pull this off. A lot of pirate-adjacent romances can get super fetishistic super fast. Plus, Raphael (who is of mixed-race ancestry) could easily dip into the Exotic Brown Man caricature. However, after I let her do her thing, I was pleasantly surprised with a romance that is both heartfelt and ridiculously sexy, with a solid dose of adventure. It’s worth the risk!
Quick Takes:
–If you’re a fan of “man falls first and harder” in romance… You’ll love this. Lisbeth is a very guarded, icy heroine who’s here to do a job and doesn’t have time for nonsense. Raphael… is so naturally flirtatious, first off–but he’s also much more in touch with his emotions and isn’t afraid of letting Lisbeth know that he’s interested. The sexual tension is THICK, but their banter and interplay is another huge part of the fun. They play off each other so well, and it all begins with a SWORDFIGHT!
–Raphael does bring a lot of humor to the story. In a lot of ways, he reminds me (and this is a compliment) of Prince Naveen from The Princess and The Frog? Like, he’s very consciously leaning into being FRANCH, and he never misses an opportunity to hit on Lisbeth, but he also genuinely appreciates her talents and abilities and has a lot of really sweet moments.
He’s also super secure in himself, which brings up another thing I loved about this. Raphael isn’t by any means “feminine”, and he definitely has several scenes wherein he takes a dominant role in his dynamic with Lisbeth. But he’s also very comfortable with being, like… pretty. And delicate. He’s a swashbuckler, but he’ll also joke about wearing her blouses, and revel in the newfound possibilities of her taking control in the bedroom. There’s a very “local man realizes he may have a bit of a submissive side and he’s GOOD with it” vibe to it all.
–I don’t usually like kids in romance, but here we have a legitimately good one! Lisbeth comes into the story familiar with Narina, a twelve-year-old girl whose mother she was friends with. Narina becomes a part of their adventures, and she’s… fucking hilarious? Like, a foul-mouthed, snarky young girl who has a knack for piracy. And it’s one of those things where Lisbeth is always like “DECORUM” because she’s attempting to save this child’s manners, and Raphael (who of course has an immediate affinity with Narina, NATURALLY) can’t help but indulge her and encourage her wrongs. It’s adorable, it makes him even hotter in a “doting father” kind of way and I loved the conclusion it reached.
–I’m really not an expert on this particular part of history, so correct me if my impression is wrong. But it felt like Howard made an effort to represent the unique interplay of cultures across the islands, as well as how one really isn’t that different from the other. Raphael, as I mentioned, is French–but he’s also of Indian and Creole descent. The novel doesn’t delve too deeply into the complexities there, but you do get the sense from Raphael that he hasn’t really fit into any of the boxes offered to him by nineteenth century society, as a French duke who isn’t white and is very much his father’s legitimate heir.
But I really appreciate seeing a book that really didn’t take place in the ballroom, or ballroom adjacent, or really in England at all. You have a great sense of life at sea here, as well as some island-hopping, a detour to America, and so on. It offers a much bigger, grander world than a lot of conventional Victorian romances.
–There’s a great emotional beating heart here, and you really feel Lisbeth falling for this man, essentially against her will, while he steadfastly waits for her to recognize her own feelings. It leads to a great culmination, and some truly swoony emotions.
The Sex:
Um, really good. I do want to call out that Lisbeth is pansexual, and the book doesn’t shy away from that; one of the supporting characters is her ex-lover, and at one point another friend is outright like “oh wait, you like dudes too?” I loved that, and I loved that it’s seriously not a big deal, just this known thing about her and her experiences.
But yeah. This shit is hot. There’s not a huge emphasis on penetrative sex. Like it, happens, but there are a lot of other things that happen, and they do not feel any less like sex. (Including one scene that I don’t want to spoil, but you don’t see a lot of that exact configuration in historical romance, and….. it’s so good.)
Raphael has piercing(s!) and tattoos, and Lisbeth’s obsession with them is certainly incorporated. And like I mentioned earlier–there’s some exploration of both of them discovering New Things about themselves together. Essentially, they both go into this believing they prefer to be dominant, and realize that they’re both, perhaps… switch-y. This leads up to a scene towards the very end that delighted me Very Much. Put simply: the sex in this book is REALLY great.
Like I said, I was at first a little worried about how this one would turn out. However, I was ultimately really happy with where it went. Seeking a “woman and her overeager dangerous himbo go do piracy together” book? This is it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Vibes: romance on the high seas, badass heroines, ridiculously besotted heroes, and sword fight boners
Heat Index: 7/10.
Lady Lisbeth, countess, divorcee, and spy, is on the run. She’s taken on the persona of Bonnie Bess, feared by all–except her new sailing master, the infuriating Raphael Saint. Problem one: Raphael may be a part of the smuggling ring Lisbeth is attempting to infiltrate. Problem two: she is, sadly, both extremely annoyed by and extremely attracted to him. Problem three: she may just have to rely on him if they’re going to get away from the people pursuing her in one piece.
I was, to be honest, a little worried about how Amalie would pull this off. A lot of pirate-adjacent romances can get super fetishistic super fast. Plus, Raphael (who is of mixed-race ancestry) could easily dip into the Exotic Brown Man caricature. However, after I let her do her thing, I was pleasantly surprised with a romance that is both heartfelt and ridiculously sexy, with a solid dose of adventure. It’s worth the risk!
Quick Takes:
–If you’re a fan of “man falls first and harder” in romance… You’ll love this. Lisbeth is a very guarded, icy heroine who’s here to do a job and doesn’t have time for nonsense. Raphael… is so naturally flirtatious, first off–but he’s also much more in touch with his emotions and isn’t afraid of letting Lisbeth know that he’s interested. The sexual tension is THICK, but their banter and interplay is another huge part of the fun. They play off each other so well, and it all begins with a SWORDFIGHT!
–Raphael does bring a lot of humor to the story. In a lot of ways, he reminds me (and this is a compliment) of Prince Naveen from The Princess and The Frog? Like, he’s very consciously leaning into being FRANCH, and he never misses an opportunity to hit on Lisbeth, but he also genuinely appreciates her talents and abilities and has a lot of really sweet moments.
He’s also super secure in himself, which brings up another thing I loved about this. Raphael isn’t by any means “feminine”, and he definitely has several scenes wherein he takes a dominant role in his dynamic with Lisbeth. But he’s also very comfortable with being, like… pretty. And delicate. He’s a swashbuckler, but he’ll also joke about wearing her blouses, and revel in the newfound possibilities of her taking control in the bedroom. There’s a very “local man realizes he may have a bit of a submissive side and he’s GOOD with it” vibe to it all.
–I don’t usually like kids in romance, but here we have a legitimately good one! Lisbeth comes into the story familiar with Narina, a twelve-year-old girl whose mother she was friends with. Narina becomes a part of their adventures, and she’s… fucking hilarious? Like, a foul-mouthed, snarky young girl who has a knack for piracy. And it’s one of those things where Lisbeth is always like “DECORUM” because she’s attempting to save this child’s manners, and Raphael (who of course has an immediate affinity with Narina, NATURALLY) can’t help but indulge her and encourage her wrongs. It’s adorable, it makes him even hotter in a “doting father” kind of way and I loved the conclusion it reached.
–I’m really not an expert on this particular part of history, so correct me if my impression is wrong. But it felt like Howard made an effort to represent the unique interplay of cultures across the islands, as well as how one really isn’t that different from the other. Raphael, as I mentioned, is French–but he’s also of Indian and Creole descent. The novel doesn’t delve too deeply into the complexities there, but you do get the sense from Raphael that he hasn’t really fit into any of the boxes offered to him by nineteenth century society, as a French duke who isn’t white and is very much his father’s legitimate heir.
But I really appreciate seeing a book that really didn’t take place in the ballroom, or ballroom adjacent, or really in England at all. You have a great sense of life at sea here, as well as some island-hopping, a detour to America, and so on. It offers a much bigger, grander world than a lot of conventional Victorian romances.
–There’s a great emotional beating heart here, and you really feel Lisbeth falling for this man, essentially against her will, while he steadfastly waits for her to recognize her own feelings. It leads to a great culmination, and some truly swoony emotions.
The Sex:
Um, really good. I do want to call out that Lisbeth is pansexual, and the book doesn’t shy away from that; one of the supporting characters is her ex-lover, and at one point another friend is outright like “oh wait, you like dudes too?” I loved that, and I loved that it’s seriously not a big deal, just this known thing about her and her experiences.
But yeah. This shit is hot. There’s not a huge emphasis on penetrative sex. Like it, happens, but there are a lot of other things that happen, and they do not feel any less like sex. (Including one scene that I don’t want to spoil, but you don’t see a lot of that exact configuration in historical romance, and….. it’s so good.)
Raphael has piercing(s!) and tattoos, and Lisbeth’s obsession with them is certainly incorporated. And like I mentioned earlier–there’s some exploration of both of them discovering New Things about themselves together. Essentially, they both go into this believing they prefer to be dominant, and realize that they’re both, perhaps… switch-y. This leads up to a scene towards the very end that delighted me Very Much. Put simply: the sex in this book is REALLY great.
Like I said, I was at first a little worried about how this one would turn out. However, I was ultimately really happy with where it went. Seeking a “woman and her overeager dangerous himbo go do piracy together” book? This is it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 28, 2024
4/5 stars
Oh this book had such a good vibe, I enjoyed myself so much while reading it. I know there are pirate historoms out there but I think this was my first and I have to say it has to be one my favourite subgenres? I guess we can call it that.
I found the story, the setting and the entire set of characters very refreshing. I was laughing on multiple occasions thanks to out girl Narina and her pirate slang little miss pirate wanna be was an absolute icon!
The dynamic between Saint and Lisbeth was to die for! I very much enjoy a cheeky rogue with a soft heart, I would say they are on my top three of historom heroes!
Lisbeth was just a queen? I loved her so much! I love a heroine that knows how to handle a cutlass and throw a few punches of needed to be honest we don't need the men to save us. She was such an interesting character.
Although it took me a bit to read the book it's more because of having no time than the book not reading fast or being interesting because when I was reading it I was completely glued to the pages because well it is action packed!
Oh this book had such a good vibe, I enjoyed myself so much while reading it. I know there are pirate historoms out there but I think this was my first and I have to say it has to be one my favourite subgenres? I guess we can call it that.
I found the story, the setting and the entire set of characters very refreshing. I was laughing on multiple occasions thanks to out girl Narina and her pirate slang little miss pirate wanna be was an absolute icon!
The dynamic between Saint and Lisbeth was to die for! I very much enjoy a cheeky rogue with a soft heart, I would say they are on my top three of historom heroes!
Lisbeth was just a queen? I loved her so much! I love a heroine that knows how to handle a cutlass and throw a few punches of needed to be honest we don't need the men to save us. She was such an interesting character.
Although it took me a bit to read the book it's more because of having no time than the book not reading fast or being interesting because when I was reading it I was completely glued to the pages because well it is action packed!
January 3, 2024
4th book in the Daring Duke series
Can be read as standalone, but MC’s from previous book (The Duke in Question) are also in this book and gives more context about FMC.
This review is going to be all over the place because I just don’t know where to start with all the praise I need to give this book. I read the Duke in Question last year and I was surprised at the exquisite mix of action, a historical setting and especially the steam. And let me tell you that Any Duke In A Storm was the best followup. This book can be read standalone, but if you want the full effect and context I would really recommend to go back and read The Duke in Question first. That features Lisbeth’s ex husband as the MMC and gives you already an impression about Lisbeth. I was thoroughly enchanted when I met Lisbeth in the previous book and I really wanted to learn about her. I didn’t know at the time that it was still an ongoing series and when I saw this pop up on netgalley and saw Lisbeth mentioned I pretty much screamed and pressed request asap!
This book was glorious and everything I wanted for Lisbeth. She deserves a man like Raphael, someone who falls first and he falls hard. He gives her the trust she needs, he knows he needs to give her space and that she will come (hehe pun intended) clean eventually.
The book starts at a pivotal time for both mc’s, Raphael has been working for years to get revenge on his uncle who is the biggest smuggler in the caribbean area and he is responsible for the downfall of his father. Lisbeth in the meantime has been working as a spy for two years to try and infiltrate and work her way up in the smuggling operations so that she can also catch Raphael’s uncle. Due to a series of unfortunate events Lisbeth finds Raphael on her ship and sparks are flying from the get go. The story takes you on this journey of pirates, hurricanes, near drownings, explosions and hot steamy scenes full of passion, to the high New York society and French courts and ballrooms.
I fell hard for Raphael, I want that man to fall for me, I want to give him a hug, I want to give him the world. He’s charming and he knows it and uses it, but not to excess. And that is also the reason why he works so great as a character. You know the phrase ‘show, don’t tell?’, that is exactly what happens here. It’s never overly mentioned how much of a french dandy he is, but it’s all there in the details between the lines. There’s so many layers to him and you feel it from the first few lines in the book.
Usually I am not a fan of the whole ‘mc keeps a secret from other mc which then becomes the third act conflict’, but in this story it works perfectly. Lisbeth has to choose between Raphael or catching his uncle for his crimes. She has worked so long as a spy, dedicated her entire life, that she lost her own identity and Raphael is the one where she feels like there may be some of her own identity left to find.
I want to talk about this book for hours, I haven’t even really touched on the subject of the steam yet, but let me tell you that it was glorious and I cannot wait to grab my own copy because this is going to be prime rereading material. Not that I have to reread any of it, there is one scene permanently engraved in my brain. The little glimpse of femdom really did it for me, and I loved how it switched from femdom to maledom. You don’t see a lot of switches in romancelandia and that on its own is making this book unique.
At the end when we get to the author's note I really recommend you all to read it. The amount of research that went into this book is incredible and throughout your reading journey you just feel the love the author has for the settings in which this story takes place, and when you get to the author’s note she gives more context. It made me tear up and realize that I really need to up my game in reading more books with diverse representation.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the chance to read this incredible romance story.
Can be read as standalone, but MC’s from previous book (The Duke in Question) are also in this book and gives more context about FMC.
This review is going to be all over the place because I just don’t know where to start with all the praise I need to give this book. I read the Duke in Question last year and I was surprised at the exquisite mix of action, a historical setting and especially the steam. And let me tell you that Any Duke In A Storm was the best followup. This book can be read standalone, but if you want the full effect and context I would really recommend to go back and read The Duke in Question first. That features Lisbeth’s ex husband as the MMC and gives you already an impression about Lisbeth. I was thoroughly enchanted when I met Lisbeth in the previous book and I really wanted to learn about her. I didn’t know at the time that it was still an ongoing series and when I saw this pop up on netgalley and saw Lisbeth mentioned I pretty much screamed and pressed request asap!
This book was glorious and everything I wanted for Lisbeth. She deserves a man like Raphael, someone who falls first and he falls hard. He gives her the trust she needs, he knows he needs to give her space and that she will come (hehe pun intended) clean eventually.
The book starts at a pivotal time for both mc’s, Raphael has been working for years to get revenge on his uncle who is the biggest smuggler in the caribbean area and he is responsible for the downfall of his father. Lisbeth in the meantime has been working as a spy for two years to try and infiltrate and work her way up in the smuggling operations so that she can also catch Raphael’s uncle. Due to a series of unfortunate events Lisbeth finds Raphael on her ship and sparks are flying from the get go. The story takes you on this journey of pirates, hurricanes, near drownings, explosions and hot steamy scenes full of passion, to the high New York society and French courts and ballrooms.
I fell hard for Raphael, I want that man to fall for me, I want to give him a hug, I want to give him the world. He’s charming and he knows it and uses it, but not to excess. And that is also the reason why he works so great as a character. You know the phrase ‘show, don’t tell?’, that is exactly what happens here. It’s never overly mentioned how much of a french dandy he is, but it’s all there in the details between the lines. There’s so many layers to him and you feel it from the first few lines in the book.
Usually I am not a fan of the whole ‘mc keeps a secret from other mc which then becomes the third act conflict’, but in this story it works perfectly. Lisbeth has to choose between Raphael or catching his uncle for his crimes. She has worked so long as a spy, dedicated her entire life, that she lost her own identity and Raphael is the one where she feels like there may be some of her own identity left to find.
I want to talk about this book for hours, I haven’t even really touched on the subject of the steam yet, but let me tell you that it was glorious and I cannot wait to grab my own copy because this is going to be prime rereading material. Not that I have to reread any of it, there is one scene permanently engraved in my brain. The little glimpse of femdom really did it for me, and I loved how it switched from femdom to maledom. You don’t see a lot of switches in romancelandia and that on its own is making this book unique.
At the end when we get to the author's note I really recommend you all to read it. The amount of research that went into this book is incredible and throughout your reading journey you just feel the love the author has for the settings in which this story takes place, and when you get to the author’s note she gives more context. It made me tear up and realize that I really need to up my game in reading more books with diverse representation.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the chance to read this incredible romance story.
January 8, 2024
This is a fun high-seas historical romance with tons of swoon-worthy chemistry! Lisbeth is a total badass, and I have been really intrigued by her character since she was introduced earlier in the series. She did not disappoint!
Raphael is fantastic, too. He’s so charming, smooth, and confident, and he’s really kind and funny. He definitely provides comic relief to the story. He’s a pirate with a conscience and a moral code, which Lisbeth soon learns. I also enjoyed the banter between Lisbeth and Raphael and the way they teased and tormented each other. Their relationship is a bit insta-lovey, especially on Raphael’s part, but I love that he falls first. I find it hard to resist a charming, honorable, and smitten pirate, and so does Lisbeth. Plus, the piercings (IYKYK)! And with Raphael, Lisbeth puts her guard down, which I liked because you get to see a more vulnerable side to her. Get a fan because their sexy times are spicy!
The story has some great secondary characters. Shout-out to the funny and foul-mouth stowaway. She’s twelve, and she’s hysterical! I also liked the diversity and inclusivity in the story and the Author’s note at the end of the book, which is definitely worth checking out. It’s so interesting to learn what kind of research, inspiration, and history went into the creation of the novel, and Howard’s insights are fascinating.
A fun and steamy high-seas adventure with action, intrigue, spies, danger, and a spicy love story, Any Duke in a Storm is a great addition to the series! Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Raphael is fantastic, too. He’s so charming, smooth, and confident, and he’s really kind and funny. He definitely provides comic relief to the story. He’s a pirate with a conscience and a moral code, which Lisbeth soon learns. I also enjoyed the banter between Lisbeth and Raphael and the way they teased and tormented each other. Their relationship is a bit insta-lovey, especially on Raphael’s part, but I love that he falls first. I find it hard to resist a charming, honorable, and smitten pirate, and so does Lisbeth. Plus, the piercings (IYKYK)! And with Raphael, Lisbeth puts her guard down, which I liked because you get to see a more vulnerable side to her. Get a fan because their sexy times are spicy!
The story has some great secondary characters. Shout-out to the funny and foul-mouth stowaway. She’s twelve, and she’s hysterical! I also liked the diversity and inclusivity in the story and the Author’s note at the end of the book, which is definitely worth checking out. It’s so interesting to learn what kind of research, inspiration, and history went into the creation of the novel, and Howard’s insights are fascinating.
A fun and steamy high-seas adventure with action, intrigue, spies, danger, and a spicy love story, Any Duke in a Storm is a great addition to the series! Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
January 14, 2024
"Historical romance takes to the high seas. Famed spy Lady Lisbeth Medford is on a ship bound for the West Indies, but the only thing more dangerous than her mission is the elusive Duke she's trying to capture."
This is a good romance. Lisbeth dresses as a man but she is every ounce a woman. The Duke "Raphael" is dis inherited.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
This is a good romance. Lisbeth dresses as a man but she is every ounce a woman. The Duke "Raphael" is dis inherited.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
January 4, 2024
I love a pirate romance! I love the proximity and the danger and the tension that pirates bring to a story. This is the story of two pirates. She is a captain of an all woman ship and a legend of toughness in the Caribbean. He is a smuggler and all around Jack Sparrow type guy who is secretly working to take down his nemesis. Neither are what they seem. Both are working towards similar things and desperately need each other.
It was a fun fast read that kept me entertained during sports and quiet evenings at home. It was steamy and unique and provided some inclusive perspective that we don't always get in historical romance. I appreciate Howard's dedication to history in her books. I love getting parts of places and situations that are less shared and send me right into the authors note for more.
It was a fun fast read that kept me entertained during sports and quiet evenings at home. It was steamy and unique and provided some inclusive perspective that we don't always get in historical romance. I appreciate Howard's dedication to history in her books. I love getting parts of places and situations that are less shared and send me right into the authors note for more.
January 9, 2024
THIS is the kind of book that makes me rave about historical romances to everyone I know. Don’t let the cover fool you, the majority of Any Duke in a Storm doesn’t take place in a ballroom, but on the high seas of the Caribbean instead. My first “pirate” novel, Amalie Howard has set the bar so high, it’s going to a tough one to top. If you’re looking for a novel with great storytelling, that’s fast-paced, and full of adventure, look no further. This book not only has character development, but is plot driven as well (unfortunately lacking in many romances).
Countess Lisbeth Medford is a spy for the American Treasury with her most recent mission resulting in her being undercover for years as Bonnie Bess, using piracy as a plot to get close to the most well known smuggler, Charles Dubois. Raphael Saint, Duc de Viel is a man seeking revenge on his uncle, Charles Dubois, for the death of his father and ruination of his father’s title. As a pirate, he has been chasing Dubois hoping for the right time to bring him to justice, a difficult feat in offshore waters. The story begins with Raphael escaping from a trap and landing himself on Bonnie Bess’s pirate ship as the new sailing master. The interactions between Raphael and Lisbeth are entertaining as he goads her with his loose language and overt sexuality, attempting to get a rise out of the pirate queen. The banter is fantastic and even from the first moments the sexual tension vibrates between these two. Lisbeth and Raphael are initially untrusting of one another, but when Lisbeth’s life becomes endangered, it doesn’t take much for Raphael to quickly come to her aid.
I couldn’t get enough of these two. Raphael oozes sex and swagger and Lisbeth is smart, beautiful , and an alpha female. You know immediately that these two will bang, and that it’ll be explosive, but the way Howard builds up the charged tension between them is masterful. Physical intercourse doesn’t even occur until seventy percent of the way through, but the sexual acts leading up to it are unbelievably hot and kinky and just as scorching. By no means is this a slowburn. (As a note, I LOVE it when I learn something new from a book and I was looking up terms left and right in regards to piercings, slang words, etc.—Don’t skip the Author’s note!)
The side characters are just as intriguing as Lisbeth and Raphael, and help provide depth to the world-building. As the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone even though characters are mentioned from previous books. I definitely want to go back and read some of the earlier stories if they’re even half as intriguing as this one!
So if you like naughty sexual scenes, multicultural heroes, praise kink, street fights, “touch her and die” vibes, Demi/pansexual rep, pirates, smugglers, espionage, and kick ass female leads, you will undoubtedly fall hard for Any Duke in a Storm like I did. I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca. All opinions are my own.
CWs: alcohol use, physical injury by stabbing, gunshot wound, jeering, death of a parent (off page), kidnapping.
Countess Lisbeth Medford is a spy for the American Treasury with her most recent mission resulting in her being undercover for years as Bonnie Bess, using piracy as a plot to get close to the most well known smuggler, Charles Dubois. Raphael Saint, Duc de Viel is a man seeking revenge on his uncle, Charles Dubois, for the death of his father and ruination of his father’s title. As a pirate, he has been chasing Dubois hoping for the right time to bring him to justice, a difficult feat in offshore waters. The story begins with Raphael escaping from a trap and landing himself on Bonnie Bess’s pirate ship as the new sailing master. The interactions between Raphael and Lisbeth are entertaining as he goads her with his loose language and overt sexuality, attempting to get a rise out of the pirate queen. The banter is fantastic and even from the first moments the sexual tension vibrates between these two. Lisbeth and Raphael are initially untrusting of one another, but when Lisbeth’s life becomes endangered, it doesn’t take much for Raphael to quickly come to her aid.
I couldn’t get enough of these two. Raphael oozes sex and swagger and Lisbeth is smart, beautiful , and an alpha female. You know immediately that these two will bang, and that it’ll be explosive, but the way Howard builds up the charged tension between them is masterful. Physical intercourse doesn’t even occur until seventy percent of the way through, but the sexual acts leading up to it are unbelievably hot and kinky and just as scorching. By no means is this a slowburn. (As a note, I LOVE it when I learn something new from a book and I was looking up terms left and right in regards to piercings, slang words, etc.—Don’t skip the Author’s note!)
The side characters are just as intriguing as Lisbeth and Raphael, and help provide depth to the world-building. As the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone even though characters are mentioned from previous books. I definitely want to go back and read some of the earlier stories if they’re even half as intriguing as this one!
So if you like naughty sexual scenes, multicultural heroes, praise kink, street fights, “touch her and die” vibes, Demi/pansexual rep, pirates, smugglers, espionage, and kick ass female leads, you will undoubtedly fall hard for Any Duke in a Storm like I did. I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca. All opinions are my own.
CWs: alcohol use, physical injury by stabbing, gunshot wound, jeering, death of a parent (off page), kidnapping.
January 2, 2024
Famed spy Lady Lisbeth Medford Countess of Waterstone is on a ship bound for the West Indies, but the only thing more dangerous than her mission is the elusive Duke she's trying to capture. She's determined to infiltrate a notorious smuggling ring in the West Indies while on a covert mission as a ship's captain. But even when her identity is compromised and she's forced to flee. The trouble in front of her, however, might be even worse. Raphael Saint, the Duc de Viel, is her ship's new aggravating and dangerously charming sailing master, who might very well be part of the smuggling ring Lisbeth must bring to justice.
The fourth book in the series & it’s very easily read on its own. I always like a romance set on the high seas & thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really liked both Raphael & Lisbeth & loved that he fell hard & fast for her, I did find her to be a bit cold to begin with. I did love the chemistry between them & the banter was witty. A well written enjoyable romance
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The fourth book in the series & it’s very easily read on its own. I always like a romance set on the high seas & thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really liked both Raphael & Lisbeth & loved that he fell hard & fast for her, I did find her to be a bit cold to begin with. I did love the chemistry between them & the banter was witty. A well written enjoyable romance
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
January 10, 2024
Raphael reminded me of Flynn Rider from Tangled or Sinbad in terms of personality and just all the banter retorts, I loved it. Also based on the cover I thought it was just going to be regency, but like.. PIRATES?! BADASS LADY SPY?! HECK YEAH. Also, I found the author’s note so enlightening! I thought it was really cool that some of the characters were either real characters in history or inspired by some; and that the places are real places. A lot of research was put into this book, and it truly paid off! The characters were diverse in this book too, and it was pointed out that people were just as diverse in history as they are now.
And the spice… yes. Also his piercing certainly added another element to it, but I liked that there is a meaningful history behind it too!
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the early copy!
And the spice… yes. Also his piercing certainly added another element to it, but I liked that there is a meaningful history behind it too!
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the early copy!
November 9, 2024
I love regency romances on ships! So fun!!
February 8, 2024
I read most of this on the plane from Greece. It is a historical romance which I was hoping would have a little more sailing in it. It was surprisingly suggestive and explicit with some tidbits from the Kama Sutra unknown to me! On the plus side, the epilogue for the history backgroun
It hit the mark as a book to read when tired and captive on a plane!
It hit the mark as a book to read when tired and captive on a plane!
January 12, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book and this is my freely given opinion.
This is book 4 of the series continues Amalie Howard's trend in writing historical romances with bold characters of a wide spectrum of backgrounds/cultures, and you can see her love of her own culture and history in this story, and in her note afterwards. She turns the typical Victorian historical on it's head and being a woman of colour, and in an interracial relationship myself, I love that about this series.
This can be read alone, but if you have read the previous books in the series, you would recognize previous characters and relationships that have occurred in the preceding books. The main female character here, Lisbeth Medford, the Countess of Waterstone, has been a significant secondary character before, as the former wife/spy partner to the Duke of Thornberry, Valentine Medford, from book 3. She was an intriguing character then and this is her story, as she continues her career as an undercover agent for the Queen, working with the Americans to thwart smugglers in the Caribbean. To that end, she has taken on the persona of Bonnie Bess, a notorious female captain of the Syren, and has been living essentially as a pirate for the past couple of years. She is trying to get in close enough to capture noted heads of the smugglers, Charles Dubois and Mr. Madge.
Raphael Saint, the disgraced French Duc de Viel, is also engaged in sea trade and smuggling. But he is not a mere smuggler; he has many depths and motives, including acting as a sea-faring Robin Hood, to help the less fortunate in the region, as well as build his fortune. But a chief motive for him is to also seek revenge against his uncle, Charles Dubois, and vindicate his father, who was stripped of the title of Duc, and his estates when accused of treason against the French emperor. After losing his title, his envious and jealous half brother, Dubois, had him incarcerated in a sanitorium, where he was beaten to death. Dubois appears to have wanted his brother's honours, except that is not how titles work, and Raphael stands in his way.
Dubois, in his furtive efforts to get rid of Raphael, manages to capture and incarcerate him. But Raphael manages to escape and in his efforts to get beyond the reach of Dubois and rally his own resources to fight back, he finds himself getting onto the first ship leaving the island he was held on, which was the Syren.
This Raphael and Lisbeth, aka Bonnie Bess, first meet. He is enthralled by the beautiful, but deadly powerful woman, and she is angered, frustrated, and alarmingly distracted by the handsome, apparently insouciant, carefree drunk, and they butt heads.
This is quite the high seas adventure story with a lot of action and passion, mostly set amongst the islands, and then in New York and France. Lisbeth starts out disgusted and not trusting Raphael. But then she finds out that underneath his facade what a complex but caring man he is. However, she is a spy and not used to trusting or revealing herself to others. She has a duty to the British and American governments, and a mission to complete. As such she has a lot of secrets she is keeping from Raphael, that if revealed, could ruin his regard for her, but if she does reveal them, it could also destroy her ability to complete her mission.
An exciting, vibrant action adventure story, with a fascinating cast of characters beyond Lisbeth and Raphael. I loved the foul mouth character of Narina, and some of the secondary characters.
4.25 stars out of 5
This is book 4 of the series continues Amalie Howard's trend in writing historical romances with bold characters of a wide spectrum of backgrounds/cultures, and you can see her love of her own culture and history in this story, and in her note afterwards. She turns the typical Victorian historical on it's head and being a woman of colour, and in an interracial relationship myself, I love that about this series.
This can be read alone, but if you have read the previous books in the series, you would recognize previous characters and relationships that have occurred in the preceding books. The main female character here, Lisbeth Medford, the Countess of Waterstone, has been a significant secondary character before, as the former wife/spy partner to the Duke of Thornberry, Valentine Medford, from book 3. She was an intriguing character then and this is her story, as she continues her career as an undercover agent for the Queen, working with the Americans to thwart smugglers in the Caribbean. To that end, she has taken on the persona of Bonnie Bess, a notorious female captain of the Syren, and has been living essentially as a pirate for the past couple of years. She is trying to get in close enough to capture noted heads of the smugglers, Charles Dubois and Mr. Madge.
Raphael Saint, the disgraced French Duc de Viel, is also engaged in sea trade and smuggling. But he is not a mere smuggler; he has many depths and motives, including acting as a sea-faring Robin Hood, to help the less fortunate in the region, as well as build his fortune. But a chief motive for him is to also seek revenge against his uncle, Charles Dubois, and vindicate his father, who was stripped of the title of Duc, and his estates when accused of treason against the French emperor. After losing his title, his envious and jealous half brother, Dubois, had him incarcerated in a sanitorium, where he was beaten to death. Dubois appears to have wanted his brother's honours, except that is not how titles work, and Raphael stands in his way.
Dubois, in his furtive efforts to get rid of Raphael, manages to capture and incarcerate him. But Raphael manages to escape and in his efforts to get beyond the reach of Dubois and rally his own resources to fight back, he finds himself getting onto the first ship leaving the island he was held on, which was the Syren.
This Raphael and Lisbeth, aka Bonnie Bess, first meet. He is enthralled by the beautiful, but deadly powerful woman, and she is angered, frustrated, and alarmingly distracted by the handsome, apparently insouciant, carefree drunk, and they butt heads.
This is quite the high seas adventure story with a lot of action and passion, mostly set amongst the islands, and then in New York and France. Lisbeth starts out disgusted and not trusting Raphael. But then she finds out that underneath his facade what a complex but caring man he is. However, she is a spy and not used to trusting or revealing herself to others. She has a duty to the British and American governments, and a mission to complete. As such she has a lot of secrets she is keeping from Raphael, that if revealed, could ruin his regard for her, but if she does reveal them, it could also destroy her ability to complete her mission.
An exciting, vibrant action adventure story, with a fascinating cast of characters beyond Lisbeth and Raphael. I loved the foul mouth character of Narina, and some of the secondary characters.
4.25 stars out of 5
March 15, 2024
Assuming the identity of the fierce lady pirate Bonnie Bess, spy Lady Lisbeth has worked two years on her mission to capture the most prolific pirate of them all for the American Embassy. Lisbeth unexpectedly crosses paths with Raphael, or Duc de Veil, who just happens to be the nephew of the notorious pirate king she’s been looking for. From the start the handsome and cocky Duke gets on Lisbeth’s nerves. They both know there is more to each other’s story they aren’t willing to reveal. Both Raphael and Lisbeth slowly learn to trust each other and realize they can work together to take down the same man. But can they fully trust each other with all their secrets and hidden identities?
With a passionate romance, familial betrayals and hilarious and complex characters this book has everything!
With a passionate romance, familial betrayals and hilarious and complex characters this book has everything!
October 29, 2025
I definitely enjoyed my time with this book and there are plenty of steamy scenes as well as a female protagonist who is a pan and demi romantic figure as well who is a major girl boss and badass and Saint being a sexy pirate with piercings *swoon for both*
I even liked the child character, but there are times when she is just a joke and not a character.
Overall, good read and I'll eventually read/ listen to the other ones as those sound interesting as well!
I even liked the child character, but there are times when she is just a joke and not a character.
Overall, good read and I'll eventually read/ listen to the other ones as those sound interesting as well!
January 21, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and this is my own review.
3rd person — ebook
Features: historical romance, pirate romance, spy, suspense, violence, spicy, disguise, betrayal, revenge, mention of death of loved one, swordplay, romance with child, caretaking, poc hero, lgbt+ representation
Synopsis: Any Duke in A Storm by Amalie Howard is book 4 in the Daring Dukes series. This book follows the romance between Lisbeth, a spy and member of the peerage who was introduced in the previous book, and Raphael a pirate and French duke fallen from grace. This story can be read on its own, however reading the series in order provides more context. Lisbeth and Raphael do things for the right reasons and the greater good, even if they aren’t always legal. Their different motives have them going after the same devious man. When their paths cross, they can’t stay apart.
Thoughts: Gosh, I really enjoyed the first half of this story. I’ve read the other books in the series prior to this one and as usual Amalie Howard nicely blended fiction and facts with a diverse group of characters going around the world. Raphael was a cheeky flirt with a Robin Hood life and I lived for it. Lisbeth was a strong-willed heroine who, despite her profession, lived her truth as honest as she could. And the consent between the two was immaculate. I would have appreciated more found family moments with supporting characters.
This had humor and spice sprinkled throughout, but at times was heavy handed; it could come off corny or unnatural for the setting. The first half had so much action, suspense, and anticipation that in the end too much information was crunched into the final quarter and not enough time was given to the truth, confrontation, and reunion.
Moments
- Time period - British West Indies 1868
- Raphael’s uncle is Prince, a known pirate
- Raphael planning to avenge his father.
- Fact in history: explosion in Wells Fargo building 1866.
- Lisbeth’s cover blown
- Entertaining meet cute
- Raphael’s cheeky comments
- Raphael, saint or sinner
- Flirt
- Narina stowaway
- Post-swordplay
- Narnia swept overboard in storm. Lisbeth dove after her
- Off to Smugglers’ Cove
- Got zzz together
- 👀🤭
- Both spent the night alone, jealous thinking the other is with someone else
- 🤭 got me blushing
- Interesting, she trusted him with the truth. I guess he is worthy of it considering he saved their lives
- He likes miss independent
- Good consent ✨
- 🤭 pirate play
- Piercings ✨
- Good girl
- So patient
- Narina got jokes
- Have to care 😌
- Cornered in alley, fight out
- Caretaking 🤗
- 🥺❤️
- Hehe he wanted only Lisbeth
- Raphael is mixed
- “You deserve to be happy with whomever you choose to be. Whether that’s Bonnie Bess or not. We choose the paths we follow. We determine who we are.” Something true
- Hehe jealous
- Friends offer to watch over Narina
- 🤭 Ride like a horse
- Sure, I mean that’s quick but he loves her.
- “I suppose I liked him slowly at first and the all at once.” Cute. Word choice reminds me of The Fault In Our Stars.
- Ugh I love the discussion about morality. Doing the wrong things for the right reasons and vice versa
- This is kind of a lame reveal… Uncle exposed Lisbeth’s secrets during fight
- Saved by loved ones
- Why the time jump?! Lisbeth and Valentine got Raphael released.
- This wrapped up too quickly
- Cute reunion I guess
- Endearment
- Proposal
- Adopted Narina after wedding
- Oop play
- Pregnant
- Weird timing to discuss her escape
- Author’s note: history facts, villain inspiration, mixed pic hero - Raphael, Lisbeth lgbt+ representation
3rd person — ebook
Features: historical romance, pirate romance, spy, suspense, violence, spicy, disguise, betrayal, revenge, mention of death of loved one, swordplay, romance with child, caretaking, poc hero, lgbt+ representation
Synopsis: Any Duke in A Storm by Amalie Howard is book 4 in the Daring Dukes series. This book follows the romance between Lisbeth, a spy and member of the peerage who was introduced in the previous book, and Raphael a pirate and French duke fallen from grace. This story can be read on its own, however reading the series in order provides more context. Lisbeth and Raphael do things for the right reasons and the greater good, even if they aren’t always legal. Their different motives have them going after the same devious man. When their paths cross, they can’t stay apart.
Thoughts: Gosh, I really enjoyed the first half of this story. I’ve read the other books in the series prior to this one and as usual Amalie Howard nicely blended fiction and facts with a diverse group of characters going around the world. Raphael was a cheeky flirt with a Robin Hood life and I lived for it. Lisbeth was a strong-willed heroine who, despite her profession, lived her truth as honest as she could. And the consent between the two was immaculate. I would have appreciated more found family moments with supporting characters.
This had humor and spice sprinkled throughout, but at times was heavy handed; it could come off corny or unnatural for the setting. The first half had so much action, suspense, and anticipation that in the end too much information was crunched into the final quarter and not enough time was given to the truth, confrontation, and reunion.
Moments
- Time period - British West Indies 1868
- Raphael’s uncle is Prince, a known pirate
- Raphael planning to avenge his father.
- Fact in history: explosion in Wells Fargo building 1866.
- Lisbeth’s cover blown
- Entertaining meet cute
- Raphael’s cheeky comments
- Raphael, saint or sinner
- Flirt
- Narina stowaway
- Post-swordplay
- Narnia swept overboard in storm. Lisbeth dove after her
- Off to Smugglers’ Cove
- Got zzz together
- 👀🤭
- Both spent the night alone, jealous thinking the other is with someone else
- 🤭 got me blushing
- Interesting, she trusted him with the truth. I guess he is worthy of it considering he saved their lives
- He likes miss independent
- Good consent ✨
- 🤭 pirate play
- Piercings ✨
- Good girl
- So patient
- Narina got jokes
- Have to care 😌
- Cornered in alley, fight out
- Caretaking 🤗
- 🥺❤️
- Hehe he wanted only Lisbeth
- Raphael is mixed
- “You deserve to be happy with whomever you choose to be. Whether that’s Bonnie Bess or not. We choose the paths we follow. We determine who we are.” Something true
- Hehe jealous
- Friends offer to watch over Narina
- 🤭 Ride like a horse
- Sure, I mean that’s quick but he loves her.
- “I suppose I liked him slowly at first and the all at once.” Cute. Word choice reminds me of The Fault In Our Stars.
- Ugh I love the discussion about morality. Doing the wrong things for the right reasons and vice versa
- This is kind of a lame reveal… Uncle exposed Lisbeth’s secrets during fight
- Saved by loved ones
- Why the time jump?! Lisbeth and Valentine got Raphael released.
- This wrapped up too quickly
- Cute reunion I guess
- Endearment
- Proposal
- Adopted Narina after wedding
- Oop play
- Pregnant
- Weird timing to discuss her escape
- Author’s note: history facts, villain inspiration, mixed pic hero - Raphael, Lisbeth lgbt+ representation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
3.5/5. Releases on January 9th, 2024.
Any Duke in a Storm is the fourth book in the Daring Dukes series by Amalie Howard. However, I read this as a standalone and although it would be nice to have background on some of the characters, it's not required.
This book follows our main characters, Lisabeth Medford, a spy that's been undercover for two years as the bloody and fearful pirate 'Bonnie Bess' and, Raphael Saint, a disgraced Duke who's an actual smuggler. Both of which are attempting to take down Saint's uncle, Charles who is admittedly a piece-of-sh*t.
What I liked:
- QUEER and POC REP - Both MCs are on the queer spectrum and Raphael is part Carribean himself. You don't see this very often in historical romance and I LOVE that it's becoming more normalized!
- Raphael's piercings - IFYKYK
- Lisabeth's personality - she's both a badass and afraid at the same time. Her character development was TOP TIER, especially for this genre which tends to be more surface level
- Action on action on action!!! The drama, the sword fights, the ship battles - it truly was a hoot!
What I didn't like:
- This book was a bit too insta-love for me (especially on Raphael's end). I know that's a personal preference and some people love insta-love so this is definitely a 'me issue'.
- Raphael's personality (especially at the beginning on the book) made we want to vomit. I seriously HATED HIM at first and by the end, I'm not quite sure if I actually like him.
- Raphael's nickname for Lisabeth - this also gave me the ick
- Nari, a 12-year old girl that provides humor via her foul mouth and aspirations to become a pirate herself. I personally just don't really like children in romance books most of the time (so far I've only liked Daisy & Rosamund in Tessa Dare's The Governess Game).
BOTTOM LINE:Any Duke in a Storm is a fun pirate historical romance novel. in the Daring Dukes series by Amalie Howard. I would definitely suggest it for lovers of this genre. Although there were things I didn't love, I am interested in reading the rest of this series.
Thank you to Net Galley, Amalie Howard & Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Any Duke in a Storm is the fourth book in the Daring Dukes series by Amalie Howard. However, I read this as a standalone and although it would be nice to have background on some of the characters, it's not required.
This book follows our main characters, Lisabeth Medford, a spy that's been undercover for two years as the bloody and fearful pirate 'Bonnie Bess' and, Raphael Saint, a disgraced Duke who's an actual smuggler. Both of which are attempting to take down Saint's uncle, Charles who is admittedly a piece-of-sh*t.
What I liked:
- QUEER and POC REP - Both MCs are on the queer spectrum and Raphael is part Carribean himself. You don't see this very often in historical romance and I LOVE that it's becoming more normalized!
- Raphael's piercings - IFYKYK
- Lisabeth's personality - she's both a badass and afraid at the same time. Her character development was TOP TIER, especially for this genre which tends to be more surface level
- Action on action on action!!! The drama, the sword fights, the ship battles - it truly was a hoot!
What I didn't like:
- This book was a bit too insta-love for me (especially on Raphael's end). I know that's a personal preference and some people love insta-love so this is definitely a 'me issue'.
- Raphael's personality (especially at the beginning on the book) made we want to vomit. I seriously HATED HIM at first and by the end, I'm not quite sure if I actually like him.
- Raphael's nickname for Lisabeth - this also gave me the ick
- Nari, a 12-year old girl that provides humor via her foul mouth and aspirations to become a pirate herself. I personally just don't really like children in romance books most of the time (so far I've only liked Daisy & Rosamund in Tessa Dare's The Governess Game).
BOTTOM LINE:Any Duke in a Storm is a fun pirate historical romance novel. in the Daring Dukes series by Amalie Howard. I would definitely suggest it for lovers of this genre. Although there were things I didn't love, I am interested in reading the rest of this series.
Thank you to Net Galley, Amalie Howard & Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 15, 2024
Any Duke in a Storm. My fellow readers. Man-o-man what an amazing book. This book is a fantastic read. I had to give this book a five star rating.
If I could have given this book a rating of five or more, I would have. The plot was very interesting to me. I loved the mystery and spying on one’s enemies. The hunt for the elusive pirate that has brought havoc among the seas. The determination of two fearless characters who makes it their ultimate mission to track down said character. But in the mean time Lisbeth and Raphael must learn how to get along and Raphael doesn’t make that easy for Lisbeth or her people. Here’s where the fun begins and I absolutely had the best time of being entertained by two people who clearly have the hots for each other. This sexual lust is so strong between Lisbeth and Raphael that the other refuses to be the one to bend first. Trying to work together for a common cause is not working it’s magic with the two. I love Lisbeth no holds barred, hard character nature.
I can see why the writer has written her character this way. She’s a woman in a mans world, whose a Captain of a ship with men. The odds are sorely not in her favor. Further reading in the book I really took a liking to the writing of Lisbeth’s character. So did Raphael.
But his is a different kind of liking. I liked his character as well, but Raphael is a bad boy, whom I imagined his mother boxed his ears all day. I love how his character is written with a little charm, a strong protector, a heck of a lot of a bad boy. Confident sexual dominance. And one well described naked body to have the female locking her legs around his thighs screaming harder and faster.
That silver French tongue his causes so much trouble for him. I myself love the sexual innuendos that he shares with Lisbeth every time he talks to her. I enjoyed the book immensely. I loved the humor among the characters, particularly between Raphael, Lisbeth and Smalls. But I really loved the suspense and mystery of hunting down the foe who destroyed so many lives.
The excitement and entertainment is a plus. The heat is a major plus, plus. I give this book two snaps and a, Raphael can you give my mons a replay again with that French tongue of yours ? Until, next time my fellow readers. Read on!
If I could have given this book a rating of five or more, I would have. The plot was very interesting to me. I loved the mystery and spying on one’s enemies. The hunt for the elusive pirate that has brought havoc among the seas. The determination of two fearless characters who makes it their ultimate mission to track down said character. But in the mean time Lisbeth and Raphael must learn how to get along and Raphael doesn’t make that easy for Lisbeth or her people. Here’s where the fun begins and I absolutely had the best time of being entertained by two people who clearly have the hots for each other. This sexual lust is so strong between Lisbeth and Raphael that the other refuses to be the one to bend first. Trying to work together for a common cause is not working it’s magic with the two. I love Lisbeth no holds barred, hard character nature.
I can see why the writer has written her character this way. She’s a woman in a mans world, whose a Captain of a ship with men. The odds are sorely not in her favor. Further reading in the book I really took a liking to the writing of Lisbeth’s character. So did Raphael.
But his is a different kind of liking. I liked his character as well, but Raphael is a bad boy, whom I imagined his mother boxed his ears all day. I love how his character is written with a little charm, a strong protector, a heck of a lot of a bad boy. Confident sexual dominance. And one well described naked body to have the female locking her legs around his thighs screaming harder and faster.
That silver French tongue his causes so much trouble for him. I myself love the sexual innuendos that he shares with Lisbeth every time he talks to her. I enjoyed the book immensely. I loved the humor among the characters, particularly between Raphael, Lisbeth and Smalls. But I really loved the suspense and mystery of hunting down the foe who destroyed so many lives.
The excitement and entertainment is a plus. The heat is a major plus, plus. I give this book two snaps and a, Raphael can you give my mons a replay again with that French tongue of yours ? Until, next time my fellow readers. Read on!
December 31, 2023
[ I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Any Duke in a Storm is a standalone in the Daring Dukes series by Amelie Howard. Following a government spy undercover as a fierce cutthroat captain and the pirate with a common enemy whom she falls for .
There's so much about this book that I enjoyed. The story has action, adventure, and sexual tension that delivers in delicious steam.
Lisbeth is fantastic. She's intelligent, strong, independent, and not afraid to embrace her sexuality. She brought solid Queer rep to this historical romance, the author's notes says she wrote her as Demiromantic Pansexual, and she succeeded in my opinion.
Raphael was a delight. He's more than meets the eye, clever , charming, cunning , and loyal. He's not your typical pirate but more of a Robin Hood of the high seas. I loved his banter with Lisbeth and the fact that he fell first.
The two aggravated and instigated each other to no end, and I was here for it. It built the sexual tension wonderfully, and I couldn't wait for them to give in to it. And oh boy did it deliver, both are dominant in the bedroom, plus a surprise praise kink and piercings in intimate places. 🔥🔥
Any Duke in a Storm is a wonderful historical romance with a morally grey MMC, a strong capable FMC, a deadly hurricane , smuggling , fighting, top notch steam, and a HEA .
Favorite Quotes:
“You beg my pardon? Somehow, I can’t fathom you begging for anything,” he remarked. “Rather the reverse— voicing your orders and expecting them to be obeyed.”
“You are truly the most insufferably obnoxious man I’ve ever met.” Raphael winked and sketched a bow. “Good thing I’m your hero , and you secretly hope to marry me and have seven of my babies.”“Never mind ,” she said with a snort as she headed for the privy. “You are definitely the most delusional man I’ve ever met.”
“Stop looking at me like that, for the love of all things holy,” Saint groaned in a low whisper, as though conscious of the deckhands milling past them. Lisbeth exhaled. “Like what?” “Like a ship you intend to commandeer and plunder,” he muttered. Well then. He wasn’t wrong. “And if I do?”
“I’m going to kiss you now. Stop me or slap me, that power is always yours, but you can’t run from this, Lisbeth.”
Any Duke in a Storm is a standalone in the Daring Dukes series by Amelie Howard. Following a government spy undercover as a fierce cutthroat captain and the pirate with a common enemy whom she falls for .
There's so much about this book that I enjoyed. The story has action, adventure, and sexual tension that delivers in delicious steam.
Lisbeth is fantastic. She's intelligent, strong, independent, and not afraid to embrace her sexuality. She brought solid Queer rep to this historical romance, the author's notes says she wrote her as Demiromantic Pansexual, and she succeeded in my opinion.
Raphael was a delight. He's more than meets the eye, clever , charming, cunning , and loyal. He's not your typical pirate but more of a Robin Hood of the high seas. I loved his banter with Lisbeth and the fact that he fell first.
The two aggravated and instigated each other to no end, and I was here for it. It built the sexual tension wonderfully, and I couldn't wait for them to give in to it. And oh boy did it deliver, both are dominant in the bedroom, plus a surprise praise kink and piercings in intimate places. 🔥🔥
Any Duke in a Storm is a wonderful historical romance with a morally grey MMC, a strong capable FMC, a deadly hurricane , smuggling , fighting, top notch steam, and a HEA .
Favorite Quotes:
“You beg my pardon? Somehow, I can’t fathom you begging for anything,” he remarked. “Rather the reverse— voicing your orders and expecting them to be obeyed.”
“You are truly the most insufferably obnoxious man I’ve ever met.” Raphael winked and sketched a bow. “Good thing I’m your hero , and you secretly hope to marry me and have seven of my babies.”“Never mind ,” she said with a snort as she headed for the privy. “You are definitely the most delusional man I’ve ever met.”
“Stop looking at me like that, for the love of all things holy,” Saint groaned in a low whisper, as though conscious of the deckhands milling past them. Lisbeth exhaled. “Like what?” “Like a ship you intend to commandeer and plunder,” he muttered. Well then. He wasn’t wrong. “And if I do?”
“I’m going to kiss you now. Stop me or slap me, that power is always yours, but you can’t run from this, Lisbeth.”
January 18, 2024
3.5 rounded up for Goodreads
Any Duke in a Storm is book four in auto-buy author Amalie Howard’s Daring Dukes series. Howard mixes fast paced action, adventure, steam and complex diverse characters to create a historical romance that is
Lady Lisbeth Medford, who we met in the previous book, is a spy for the British government trying to stop smugglers as a captain of a pirate ship. Raphael Saint, a disgraced French peer, who Lisbeth has targeted as a means to catch his uncle the notorious smuggler Prince. These two end up working together (unbeknownst to them) for a common goal.
There is lots of action, high seas high jinx, sexy banter, sword fighting and steamy! The chemistry between Saint and Lisbeth is so hot, their foreplay sword fighting scene will live in my brain rent free. They’ve got lots of verbal banter, piercings (him), dirty talk and Dom/sub angles. Lisbeth is a kicka$$ heroine but a heart of gold, she really loves her crew but projects such an “I am an island” vibe. Saint is full of “Falling first” vibes, Robin Hood energy and did I mention the piercings??? There is a young girl that left me laughing out loud a few times. As with the previous book, I enjoyed the diversity that Amalie Howard brings to her characters and how meticulously through her research it.
The backstory was a bit confusing and it did take me a bit to get into the characters but that could have been just me in a reading slump. This can be read as a standalone but I do think you get a better idea of Lisbeth if you read the previous book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca, NetGalley and the author. All opinions are my own.
Any Duke in a Storm is book four in auto-buy author Amalie Howard’s Daring Dukes series. Howard mixes fast paced action, adventure, steam and complex diverse characters to create a historical romance that is
Lady Lisbeth Medford, who we met in the previous book, is a spy for the British government trying to stop smugglers as a captain of a pirate ship. Raphael Saint, a disgraced French peer, who Lisbeth has targeted as a means to catch his uncle the notorious smuggler Prince. These two end up working together (unbeknownst to them) for a common goal.
There is lots of action, high seas high jinx, sexy banter, sword fighting and steamy! The chemistry between Saint and Lisbeth is so hot, their foreplay sword fighting scene will live in my brain rent free. They’ve got lots of verbal banter, piercings (him), dirty talk and Dom/sub angles. Lisbeth is a kicka$$ heroine but a heart of gold, she really loves her crew but projects such an “I am an island” vibe. Saint is full of “Falling first” vibes, Robin Hood energy and did I mention the piercings??? There is a young girl that left me laughing out loud a few times. As with the previous book, I enjoyed the diversity that Amalie Howard brings to her characters and how meticulously through her research it.
The backstory was a bit confusing and it did take me a bit to get into the characters but that could have been just me in a reading slump. This can be read as a standalone but I do think you get a better idea of Lisbeth if you read the previous book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca, NetGalley and the author. All opinions are my own.
February 27, 2024
Any Duke In a Storm is an action-packed, highly entertaining enemies to lovers historical romance set aboard a pirate ship with the most badass captain at the helm, Bonnie Bess. Bonnie Bess is the undercover identity for Lady Lisbeth Medford, Countess of Waterstone & also famed spy. She is the epitome of badass heroine & an absolute marvel along with her friends & crew.
Any Duke In a Storm by Amalie Howard is my new favorite historical romance of all time!
This is book #4 in the Daring Dukes series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’ve also read book #3 in the series called The Duke in Question, which is like James Bond meets Bridgerton vibes & I also gave it 5 stars!
Any Duke In a Storm is great for fans of…
💛Historical Romance
💛Pirates & Ships
💛Forced Proximity
💛Morally Grey Hero
This is the type of book that I think should be everywhere & I haven’t seen it talked about much but it totally should be. It has all the ingredients of a perfect thrilling romance with the exciting setting, dashing espionage of hidden identities, the complexity of a morally grey hero, an unstoppable heroine, the sensational chemistry between leads & so much more & this is executed so beautifully that I could not put this one down.
This author is complete magic at writing captivating stories that also utilize some history in them. The acknowledgements section is not to be missed.
If you’re looking for an action-packed romance , I cannot recommend Any Duke In a Storm enough. Furthermore, even if historically you aren’t a fan of historical romances, I think this is a story that could be enjoyed by all!
Massive thanks to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.
Any Duke In a Storm by Amalie Howard is my new favorite historical romance of all time!
This is book #4 in the Daring Dukes series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’ve also read book #3 in the series called The Duke in Question, which is like James Bond meets Bridgerton vibes & I also gave it 5 stars!
Any Duke In a Storm is great for fans of…
💛Historical Romance
💛Pirates & Ships
💛Forced Proximity
💛Morally Grey Hero
This is the type of book that I think should be everywhere & I haven’t seen it talked about much but it totally should be. It has all the ingredients of a perfect thrilling romance with the exciting setting, dashing espionage of hidden identities, the complexity of a morally grey hero, an unstoppable heroine, the sensational chemistry between leads & so much more & this is executed so beautifully that I could not put this one down.
This author is complete magic at writing captivating stories that also utilize some history in them. The acknowledgements section is not to be missed.
If you’re looking for an action-packed romance , I cannot recommend Any Duke In a Storm enough. Furthermore, even if historically you aren’t a fan of historical romances, I think this is a story that could be enjoyed by all!
Massive thanks to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.
February 5, 2024
Raphael Saint, Saint or Captain Saint, also Le Duc De Viel.
Thorin Alford, son of Duke of Remington, but estranged from his family
Uncle Charles Dubois, also responsible for his brother's death and treason charges, he likes to be call the Prince of Smugglers.
Lady Lisbeth Medford, Countess of Waterstone, current identity, Bonnie Bess, A covert agent for the British government on lone to the US Department of Treasury as a tax Customs agent trying to capture smugglers.
Estelle and Smalls, trusted crew on the Syren, Add Narina who is a child that lost her parents.
Raphael wants revenge on his uncle for crimes he has commented and never been charged for, the death of his father at his uncle's hand and to clear the family name.
Lady Lisbeth wants to make a name for herself, to live her life freely, and not have to be beholden to anyone. She believes bringing in the "Prince of Smugglers" will go a long way to show she is capable,smart, and can do the job just as good as any male.
When the two meet brings new meaning to the phrase when ships collide. Can two people that want the same thing work together? Sparks fly and small secrets get revealed. However, will that friendship and shaky trust last when the big secrets get out?
Can they forgive and accomplish their goals or will disaster strike? Will uncle Charles put the pieces together before they can capture him?
Join in this swashbuckling high seas chase to find out. Meet snarky, loveable characters, visit exotic places, and voyage thru a hurricane.
Thorin Alford, son of Duke of Remington, but estranged from his family
Uncle Charles Dubois, also responsible for his brother's death and treason charges, he likes to be call the Prince of Smugglers.
Lady Lisbeth Medford, Countess of Waterstone, current identity, Bonnie Bess, A covert agent for the British government on lone to the US Department of Treasury as a tax Customs agent trying to capture smugglers.
Estelle and Smalls, trusted crew on the Syren, Add Narina who is a child that lost her parents.
Raphael wants revenge on his uncle for crimes he has commented and never been charged for, the death of his father at his uncle's hand and to clear the family name.
Lady Lisbeth wants to make a name for herself, to live her life freely, and not have to be beholden to anyone. She believes bringing in the "Prince of Smugglers" will go a long way to show she is capable,smart, and can do the job just as good as any male.
When the two meet brings new meaning to the phrase when ships collide. Can two people that want the same thing work together? Sparks fly and small secrets get revealed. However, will that friendship and shaky trust last when the big secrets get out?
Can they forgive and accomplish their goals or will disaster strike? Will uncle Charles put the pieces together before they can capture him?
Join in this swashbuckling high seas chase to find out. Meet snarky, loveable characters, visit exotic places, and voyage thru a hurricane.
January 9, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
If it’s a historical romance written by Amalie Howard, I’m going to read it. She does them SO WELL. And the characters? Chefs kiss.
In Any Duke in a Storm we are diving into the smuggling trade of the West Indies. It is a new setting for me, being out on the high seas, but I absolutely loved it. It was so different than being in regency England but still being in the same time period.
Our FMC is Lisbeth, a countess who is a spy for the British Government but is working with the Americans to catch smugglers. And our MMC is Raphael, a French/Caribbean man who is quite the charmer.
The chemistry that these two had was insane, and I loved their storylines both individually and together. The humour was top notch. And it even had some action scenes that kept the pace up.
Lisbeth was a badass character who captained her own ship and made a name for herself. And when in that time period would you ever see a powerful woman that strikes fear into the hearts of men for how ruthless she is? Absolutely amazing.
DEFINITELY check out this book if you’re looking for something different in the historical romance genre. It won’t let you down!
💛 He Falls First
💛 Pirates / Smugglers
💛 🌶️🌶️🌶️
💛 Spies
💛 Forced Proximity
Thank you to SourceBooks Casablanca for the ARC, all thoughts are my own!
If it’s a historical romance written by Amalie Howard, I’m going to read it. She does them SO WELL. And the characters? Chefs kiss.
In Any Duke in a Storm we are diving into the smuggling trade of the West Indies. It is a new setting for me, being out on the high seas, but I absolutely loved it. It was so different than being in regency England but still being in the same time period.
Our FMC is Lisbeth, a countess who is a spy for the British Government but is working with the Americans to catch smugglers. And our MMC is Raphael, a French/Caribbean man who is quite the charmer.
The chemistry that these two had was insane, and I loved their storylines both individually and together. The humour was top notch. And it even had some action scenes that kept the pace up.
Lisbeth was a badass character who captained her own ship and made a name for herself. And when in that time period would you ever see a powerful woman that strikes fear into the hearts of men for how ruthless she is? Absolutely amazing.
DEFINITELY check out this book if you’re looking for something different in the historical romance genre. It won’t let you down!
💛 He Falls First
💛 Pirates / Smugglers
💛 🌶️🌶️🌶️
💛 Spies
💛 Forced Proximity
Thank you to SourceBooks Casablanca for the ARC, all thoughts are my own!
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